Police: Man assaulted in litter quarrel

Posted: Friday, August 14, 2009

A 26-year-old man was arrested Wednesday morning after an alleged assault stemming from an argument over litter.

The Juneau Police Department arrested William I.M. Patterson for violating conditions of probation and lodged him in the Lemon Creek Correctional Center. The investigation continues and assault charges against Patterson are pending.

Police responded to a report of a man being assaulted that was bleeding from the head in the 200 block of South Franklin Street at about 7:34 a.m. Wednesday. Capital City Fire and Rescue personnel treated a 65-year-old Juneau man and transported him to Bartlett Regional Hospital for his injuries, according to a police press release.

Patterson was walking down South Franklin Street with an unnamed acquaintance who threw some trash into the street, the press release said.

The victim told Patterson's acquaintance that he should pick up the trash, the document says.

An argument ensued, the victim began walking away, and then Patterson turned him around and struck him in the face.

The police department would not elaborate on the case Thursday because it was still under investigation. It does not appear that Patterson and the alleged victim knew each other prior to the incident, according to police.

It was unclear Thursday what Patterson is presently on probation for, though court records indicate he was convicted of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct in 2007.